Alebachew Teka

Alebachew Teka (1962 - 2005) was one of Ethiopia's best known contemporary and renowned comedians. He also hosted a talk show, “The Alebeh Show”, carried by stated owned Ethiopian Television (ETV). The weekly program, which was modeled similar to the American "The Tonight Show", was a hit and brought him widespread fame across the country.

His career took off for his satirical TV shows, in which he often appeared along with his comedy partner Lemenih during the repressive regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam. Before starting his show, Alebachew Teka had lived in Israel.

Alebachew died on Sunday January 16, 2005 in car accident while traveling from Addis Ababa to Jimma, a city some 124 miles west of the capital, to film a documentary for a new show. His car reportedly plunged into a ravine about 30km from Jimma town. He was 44 years old at the time of death.

News of his death was met shock and more than 60,000 mourners attended Alebachew's funeral at St. Joseph's church on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. He left a wife, two daughters and a son.

External links

* [http://www.sudantribune.com/article_impr.php3?id_article=7589
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* [http://www.ennmedia.org/ennlive.php?subaction=showfull&id=1106174056 ENN: Ethiopia's renowned comedian, talk show host laid to rest]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4182187.stm BBC: Ethiopians mourn television star]